Medical teams at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota have begun the process to separate conjoined Bismarck twins Abygail and Madysen Fitterer.

The eight-week-old twins are daughters of Stacy and Suzy Fitterer.

Yesterday, they had tissue expanders put in place during a four-hour procedure.

After two weeks, the expanders will slowly be filled with saline solution.

That will allow each girl to have enough skin after separation to cover their wounds.

The same lead surgeon who separated the Carlson twisn of Fargo Christopher Moir will lead the Fitterer surgery.

It will be his fifth separation of conjoined twins.

The hospital says the Fitterer twins will likely be separated before the end of the year. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list